RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: In line with the directives of the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Directorate General of Customs Intelligence Thursday carried out a number of anti-smuggling operations and raids at Hayatabad Karkhano Market Peshawar, Blue Area Islamabad, Rawalpindi market and markets in other cities where smuggled goods are openly sold.

Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that Shaukat Ali, Director General Directorate (Intelligence & Investigation) Customs, has promptly taken the action on the directions of the Board following instructions of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

The biggest operation was jointly conducted by the Directorate General Customs Intelligence, Peshawar, and Model Customs Collectorate (MCC), Peshawar, at Hayatabad Karkhano Market Peshawar. This is for the first time that the intelligence agency of the FBR has conducted major anti-smuggling operation at a dumping place of smuggled goods, as no body ever dared conduct operation in this area. Four trucks and three pickups loaded with foreign origin smuggled cloth valuing more than Rs30 million were seized by Customs Intelligence and Customs Collectorate in a joint raid at Peshawar Karkhano Market. This is in accordance with the directions of FBR to implement a crackdown on smuggled goods all over the country.

Under the supervision of Dr Arsalan Subuctageen, Director Intelligence Customs Peshawar, the operation has been conducted at the Peshawar Karkhano Market Peshawar, where no one ever dared conduct raids due to presence of powerful and influential smugglers in this area.

In Blue Area Islamabad, the customs intelligence conducted raid on the biggest outlet in the heart of Blue Area famous for selling electronic goods. In Rawalpindi, regional directorate of Customs Intelligence has conducted raid on a godown containing huge quantities of smuggled items particularly LCDs/LEDs. However, the operation was solely conducted by the agency without the assistance of MCC Islamabad.

Customs Intelligence would continue its operations on Friday in major outlets in Blue Area to seize big shops containing huge quantities of smuggled goods.

In Lahore, regional directorate Customs Intelligence has already conducted 15-16 anti-smuggling operations at all major markets, sources added.

In line with the directions of the Supreme Court, the FBR took a major decision to immediately take practical steps to control the menace of smuggling in the said areas without delay.

During the meeting, the chairman FBR informed the members that the Chief Justice of Pakistan communicated his displeasure on the open sale of smuggled goods across the country, especially in Hayatabad Karkhano Market Peshawar, Blue Area Islamabad, Rawalpindi Bara Market and other main markets in various major cities of the country. The Chief Justice warned if the menace of smuggling was not checked, it could lead to destruction of the indigenous manufacturing industry and other allied sectors.

The FBR has decided that Member (Customs) would immediately initiate steps to check the menace of smuggling and submit the report of actions taken to the chairman FBR for onward submission to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. The action would be taken by Member (Customs).